Love of the World
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that you might see your defects of character and realize how God
regards your love of the world, which is crowding out the love of God.
Nothing can give you such power, such true self-reliance and nobility
of soul, as a sense of the dignity of your work, an assurance that you
are co-laborers with God in doing good and saving souls.
The Son of God came to this world to leave an example of a perfect
life. He sacrificed Himself for the joy that was set before Him, the joy
of seeing souls rescued from Satan’s grasp and saved in the kingdom
of God. “Follow Me” was Christ’s command. Those who follow His
example will share in the divine work of doing good and will finally
enter into the joy of their Lord.
There is many a man in the humble walks of life today whom the
Lord might designate as He did Abraham: “The friend of God.” Such
men approve that which God approves and condemn that which He
condemns. In their presence even the sinner feels a sense of awe, a
restraint; for God is with them, and they are living epistles, known
and read of all men. There is a softened tenderness, a dignity, a divine
propriety, in their deportment, which gives them power over the hearts
of their fellow men.
In following Christ, looking unto Him who is the Author and
Finisher of your faith, you will feel that you are working under His
eye, that you are influenced by His presence, and that He knows your
motives. At every step you will humbly inquire: Will this please
Jesus? Will it glorify God? Morning and evening your earnest prayers
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should ascend to God for His blessing and guidance. True prayer takes
hold upon Omnipotence and gives us the victory. Upon his knees the
Christian obtains strength to resist temptation.
The father who is the “house band” of the family will bind his
children to the throne of God by living faith. Distrusting his own
strength, he hangs his helpless soul on Jesus and takes hold of the
strength of the Most High. Brethren, pray at home, in your family,
night and morning; pray earnestly in your closet; and while engaged
in your daily labor, lift up the soul to God in prayer. It was thus that
Enoch walked with God. The silent, fervent prayer of the soul will rise
like holy incense to the throne of grace and will be as acceptable to
God as if offered in the sanctuary. To all who thus seek Him, Christ
becomes a present help in time of need. They will be strong in the day
of trial.